So called because both events run together and I come home on April 28 which leaves two days of NaPoWriMo, so  there willl be extra poetry after The Journey Home.

Image: A look to the future, some of the events planned for West Texas, they went well last year in November, here's hoping they go well this April.

 

The Run Up

26.12.22 – 1) The year got colder as it got older

I booked my flight and I’m hoping things go right

Flight out on March 29 if things go fine

Like a song and I’ve got insurance if they go wrong

And Christmas came at long last, now it’s almost past

Soon be New Years Day and I think it’s time to look for somewhere to stay

 

01.01 23 - 2) Christmas came at last, in the blink of an eye it was past

Soon it was here, New Year 2023 an in three months I would be

On another poetry roam in Texas my spiritual home

But before I fly away I need somewhere to stay

First attempt in vain so it was a matter of try again

This time it went well, no dismay I got somewhere to stay

One thing I could see, I got a star for each night meaning a room for free

Which was nice, based on price, or it would count giving a big discount

It would be when I had collected ten

To my delight I could use it in Austin on my last night

 

04.01.23 – 3) I’ve sorted my car so I can go far

Once more when I’m over the pond

Same firm used again, my best bet never let me down yet

Always I feel I got a great deal

An’ I’m wondering nay hoping that the travelling poet from the East

Will get a car like last year, one with power,

Like the one he called The Beast

 

07.01.23 – 4) Yesterday was the day I finally sorted out where to stay

Midland for a while before I travel may a mile

Then to make sure things go right

A one night stop in Austin on my last night

With Midland it was expected a good price and more stars collected

Not with Austin the same group, but was still cock-a-hoop

As always when I feel I’ve got a great deal

 

20.01.23 - 5) Further into January we go time seems to be passing real slow

Some places have had snow much to their cost,

While in Cas’ we’ve had severe frost

But life goes on, when we’re called upon

No time to hang about, get the food parcels out, for them as can’t get out

To the needy not the greedy, we have to beware

Of those that try to get more than their share

They try it on but you can depend, on us catching them out in the end

When you hear them offering it for sale it’s not funny

It’s not for alcohol or drug money

But they’re caught red handed and as cheats they’re branded

I want to shout it’s a hand up, not a hand out

But what makes it all worthwhile

Is when someone in need says thank you with a smile

 

26.01.23 - 6) January seems to be dragging, inspiration flagging

Lets hope in February things get clearer as my tour draws nearer

I’ve uploaded some more music to my usb in case my hire car has mp3

I can listen to what I chose,

Setting off to the theme tune from Hill Street Blues

Or driving across the plains things are going like a dream

From Dances With Wolves, The John Dunbar Theme

James Taylor singing Fire and Rain Luke Bryan and Play it again

Always a delight, John Denver singing “Don’t close your eyes tonight”

My friend Clarke’s variation on Pachelbel, as the drive's going swell.

Or simply driving along listening to his beautiful Mario’s Song

So many choices, from instrumentals to voices

And all the time it’s giving me inspiration for my rhyme

But I couldn’t end this ode

Without mentioning Rascal Flats being led home by the broken road

 

01.02.23 - 7) Well that’s it January’s done February has begun

Weather still cold to say the least

And we’re still waiting for The Beast from the East

Are we waiting in vain, have the forecasters got it wrong again

Wind blowing stronger as the days get slightly longer

Listening as me and Milo have out morning hug

On the sofa nice and snug

But times abating and I’ve got food parcels waiting

So breakfast had, then I’m out of the door

To see what the day has in store

 

21.02.23 – 8) February is now three weeks old and it doesn’t seem as cold

We never got The Beast from the East no need for dread

So we thought but got Storm Otto instead. Gusts from 75-80 miles an hour

Leaving homes without power, Roads blocked we learned

As high sided vehicles overturned. Trains and planes went nowhere

On the ground or in the air.

But although it blew we got out food parcels through

Now Otto's gone and the year carries on

But the Weather folk say there’s still more, another Beast from the East

And we’re thinking, “Aye we’ve all heard that one before”.

 

01.03.23 – 9) February’s done March has begun

Departure day now four weeks away

Another poetry roam in Texas my spiritual home

March runs into April and I haven’t been in April since 2019

But from what I remember

It will be much warmer than last year in November

One thing I know is it’s also NaPoWriMo

So I’ll be writing away every day

Hopefully of inspiration there’ll be no lack

Cos there’ll be two days of NaPoWriMo left when I get back

But for now let the time roll soon the waiting will be past

And I’ll be flying out at last

 

04.03.23 – 10) The weekend’s come round, a few days ago I found

That the Li’l Venue event that was planned, would not be coming to hand

Chris messaged me to say “unexpected costs have come into play”

And it wouldn’t be ready in time

For the opening evening of music, poetry and rhyme

But still we live in hope that one day it will be

And Lamesa gets back it’s rightful place in Texas poetry

That of performers there’ll be more

Including a Travelling Yorkshire Poetry Troubadour

And you never know he may have more in tow

Would it take much persuasion

To get them to come for a Yorkshire Poets invasion

 

07.03.23 – 11)

News on the internet let all know there’s baggage problems at Heathrow

Short on staff are they having a laugh?

Are my hopes in vain will my suitcase get left behind again?

When I’ve landed going for my hire car almost empty handed

Just like things had been in 2017 and 18

Take enough in my carry on bag if there’s doubt

And hope it gets to me before I run out

 

11.03.23 -12) Snow was forecast on Wednesday night

And for once the Weather folk got it right

Woke to find the wind blowing snow falling

Light wind not gusting small snow flakes just a dusting

Continued throughout the day but it didn’t seem to stay

Got the food parcels out without delay

But there was another warning,

The snow would be worse on Friday morning

It was, coming down much quicker and thicker

It seemed it would be here to last tracks where the cars had gone past

So to the food bank drive with care make sure I get there

Settling on cars, roofs and hedges

And great for kids getting out their sledges

As they take, time to enjoy an unexpected school break

No need for me to be blue, I took it steady and got the food parcels through

Later it stopped and the sun shone and by late afternoon it was gone

We had it better than some who seemed to have been caught on the hop

Things had ground to a stop, People bewailed as accidents prevailed

Now it’s Saturday is there a need for sorrow

As we’ve been told to expect some more tomorrow

Maybe because as I’m writing this verse, the weather has got worse

I can hear the rain beating on my window pane

 

12.03.23 – 13) This morning the rain had stopped, the wind had dropped

There was no sign of the forecasted snow

Sun came out in the early afternoon, quite pleasant in the main

But the forecast said come evening there will be more rain

Well for once they were right, because now it’s night a

And once again I hear the rain beating on my window pane

 

13.03.23 – 14) I look out and it’s a sunny day, a sky of grey

Coffee listening to the wind blowing which they say will get stronger

As the day gets longer

But I can’t loaf about I’ve got food parcels to get out

Packe just to load then hit the road

Afternoon the sun went in and the rain came

Someone said snow tonight

The rain was coming down as I left town

Taking the road that leads to Leeds

One of two planned open mic nights

And a long awaited return to the one that call Soundbites

 

14.03.23 – 15) Soundbites last night was a delight

Met with a handshake and a smile, friends I hadn’t seen for a while

Chat a while then it’s time to share our verse and rhyme

Chapter and verse so diverse

Me and Oz take a selfie to send across the pond to a friend

I drove home last night thinking yes it really went alright

 

20.03.23 - 16) Some may be fearing the worst At Heathrow on March 31st

A strike by Security Staff on it’s way, over the Easter Holiday for more pay

Hopefully I should be fine hoping they don’t bring it forward to March 29

And I can’t make my way to the USA

And my hopes be in vain, if so I’ll never use Heathrow again

 

22.03.23 - 17) Seven days to go and counting, slight anxiety mounting

Hoping things go like a song, and nothing goes wrong

Yes seven days and I’ll be away

Flying upwards towards heaven to start Texas Poetry Tour number eleven

 

28.03.29 -18) Departure Eve been working steady away

To get things ready for departure day

Paperwork sorted so plans aren’t thwarted

Done the packing, hope there’s nothing lacking

Going to have an early night

A decent sleep before tomorrow’s flight

Hoping it goes like a song, cos’ I’ve been away far too long

For National Poetry Month in Texas I’ve been yearning

Now after 3 years it looks like I’m returning